Washing machine

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

0001This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No. 15/553,780, filed on Aug. 25, 2017, which is a U.S. National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of an International application number PCT/KR2016/001599, filed on Feb. 17, 2016, which is based on and claims priority of a Korean patent application number 10-2015-0026854, filed on Feb. 25, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

0002Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having an auxiliary door such that laundry can be input without opening a main door during a washing cycle.

BACKGROUND ART

0003Generally, a washing machine is an appliance for washing clothes using electric power. The washing machine includes a drum type washing machine for washing laundry by raising the laundry upward and dropping the laundry while rotating a rotary tub, and an electric washing machine for washing laundry by using the water flow generated by a pulsator when a washing tub is rotating.

0004The drum type washing machine includes a cabinet for forming an outer appearance, a cylindrical tub installed in the cabinet for containing wash water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub to wash the laundry, a driving motor disposed behind the tub for rotating the drum, and a door installed on the front of the cabinet. At least a part of the cabinet is provided with an inlet port communicating with the drum, and the door opens and closes the inlet port.

0005Since the inlet and the door of the drum type washing machine are provided on the front surface of the cabinet, when the wash water is supplied to the tub, the door cannot be opened after the washing of the laundry is started. Therefore, the wash water cannot be added to the tub when wash water is supplied to the tub and washing cycle is in progress.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

0006Since the inlet and the door of the drum type washing machine are provided on the front surface of the cabinet, when the wash water is supplied to the tub, the door cannot be opened after the washing of laundry is started. Therefore, the wash water cannot be added to the tub when wash water is supplied to the tub and washing cycle is in progress.

Technical Solution

0007Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine having an improved structure of enabling laundry and detergent to be put into the washing machine during a washing cycle without restraint.

0008One aspect of the present disclosure discloses a washing machine provided with an additional washing space in addition to a washing space provided in a conventional drum.

0009One aspect of the present disclosure discloses an auxiliary door locking structure capable of locking an auxiliary door.

0010One aspect of the present disclosure discloses an auxiliary door hinge structure that alleviates an impact generated when an auxiliary door is opened and closed and fixes the auxiliary door when the auxiliary door is opened and closed.

0011In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum and a door. The cabinet may form an external appearance of the washing machine, and may be provided at a front side thereof with an inlet port. The tub may be provided in the cabinet and accommodate wash water. The drum may be rotatably provided in the tub. The door may be installed at the cabinet to open and close the inlet port. The door may be provided with an auxiliary door that is freely opened and closed independent of the door during a washing cycle.

0012The auxiliary door may be provided at the door so as to protrude forward.

0013The auxiliary door may be opened and closed upward and downward.

0014The door may be provided at the inside thereof with an auxiliary inlet port that may be opened and closed by the auxiliary door and with a connection part connecting the auxiliary inlet port to the drum.

0015The connection part may be inclined downward while extending to the inside of the door.

0016The door may include a front housing at which the auxiliary door may be provided and a rear housing that may be coupled to the front housing to form the connection part in the door and may be provided at a rear side thereof with an opening part communicating with the drum.

0017The rear housing may protrude backward of the door, and a degree of the rear housing being protruded may be decreased upward.

0018At least one of the auxiliary door and the auxiliary inlet port may have a diaphragm installed thereon to prevent water leakage.

0019The auxiliary door may remain in a locked state during a washing process, and when the locked state of the auxiliary door is released, the drum may stop rotating.

0020In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum and a door. The cabinet may form an external appearance of the washing machine, and may be provided at a front side thereof with an inlet port. The tub may be provided in the cabinet and may accommodate wash water. The drum may be rotatably provided in the tub, and may have a main washing space in which laundry may be washed. The door may be installed on the cabinet to open and close the inlet port. The door may be provided at the inside thereof with an auxiliary washing space in which a washing operation may be performed independent of performing a washing operation in the main washing space.

0021The door may be provided at a front side thereof with an auxiliary door to open and close the auxiliary washing space.

0022The door may include a front housing at which the auxiliary door may be provided and a rear housing that may be coupled to the front housing to form the auxiliary washing space in the door and may be provided at a rear side thereof with an opening part communicating with the drum.

0023The auxiliary door may be provided at an upper portion of the front housing to be opened and closed upward and downward. The auxiliary washing space may be inclined downward while extending to the inside of the door.

0024The door may further include a cover detachably coupled to the opening part. The cover may be coupled to the opening part to form the auxiliary washing space that is divided from the main washing space.

0025The cover may have a pulsator installed thereon to form a flow of wash water stored in the auxiliary washing space.

0026At least one of the opening part and the cover may have a diaphragm installed thereon to prevent water leakage.

0027In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet having an inlet port; a main door rotatably coupled to the cabinet by a hinge member to open and close the inlet port; an auxiliary door rotatably coupled to the main door to input laundry into the cabinet when the main door is closed; a power source provided in the cabinet; a locking device provided in the main door to lock the auxiliary door and operated by being supplied with power from the power source; and an electric wire to connect the power source and the locking device through the hinge member.

0028The auxiliary door may include a latch in which a locking hole is formed, and the locking device may include a locking bar inserted into the locking hole to lock the auxiliary door and a driving unit to drive the locking bar.

0029The main door may include a door cover; a door holder; and a glass member coupled between the door cover and the door holder, and the auxiliary door may be coupled to the door cover, and the locking device may be mounted on the door holder.

0030The door cover may be formed with a latch passing hole through which the latch passes so as to approach the locking device.

0031A wire passage through which the electric wire passes is formed inside the hinge member.

0032The hinge member may include a cabinet coupling portion coupled to the cabinet; a hinge arm protruding from the cabinet coupling portion; and a hinge shaft protruding from the hinge arm to support the main door rotatably.

0033The wire passage may include a first wire passage penetrating the inside of the cabinet coupling portion; a second wire passage formed on the hinge arm so as to open at one surface thereof; and a third wire passage penetrating the inside of the hinge shaft.

0034A wire cover may be coupled to one open surface of the second wire passage.

0035The washing machine may further include a connector to connect a first wire connected to the power source and a second wire connected to the locking device, and the hinge member may include a connector receiving groove formed in a back surface of the cabinet coupling portion to receive the connector.

0036The hinge member may include a fixed rib protruding from an inner surface of the connector receiving groove to fix the connector.

0037The hinge member may include a moisture permeation preventing rib formed on the upper side of the connector receiving groove to prevent moisture from penetrating into the connector.

0038In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet having an inlet port; a main door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the inlet port; an auxiliary door rotatably coupled to the main door to input laundry into the cabinet when the main door is closed; a power source provided in the cabinet; a locking device provided in the main door to lock the auxiliary door and operated by being supplied with power from the power source; and a mounting connector having a plug mounted on one of the cabinet and the main door and a socket mounted on the other, and the plug and the socket may be connected according to whether the main door is opened or closed.

0039When the main door is opened, the plug and the socket are separated, and when the main door is closed, the plug and the socket are connected.

0040The mounting connector may include a sealing member to prevent moisture from penetrating into the plug and the socket while the plug and the socket are connected to each other.

0041The washing machine may further comprise a controller to determine whether the main door is opened or closed according to whether the plug is connected to the socket.

0042The plug and the socket each may include a plurality of connection terminals mutually connected at the time of connection of the plug and the socket, and at least one of the plurality of connection terminals transmits a signal for transmitting whether the main door is opened or closed.

0043In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet having a cabinet front plate on which an inlet port is formed; a main door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the inlet port; an auxiliary door rotatably coupled to the main door to input laundry into the cabinet when the main door is closed; and a locking device provided on the cabinet front plate to lock the auxiliary door.

0044The auxiliary door may include a latch in which a locking hole is formed, and the locking device may include a locking bar inserted into the locking hole to lock the auxiliary door and a driving unit to drive the locking bar.

0045The main door may include a door cover; a door holder; and a glass member coupled between the door cover and the door holder, and the auxiliary door may be coupled to the door cover.

0046The door cover and the door holder each have a latch passing hole through which the latch passes to approach the locking device.

0047The locking device may be mounted on the back surface of the cabinet front plate, and a latch passing hole may be formed in the cabinet front plate so that the latch passes therethrough and approaches the locking device.

0048The auxiliary door may include a push rod, and the main door may include a lever which is pressed by the push rod and rotates when the auxiliary door is closed and in which a restricting hole is formed, and the locking device may include a locking bar inserted into the restricting hole to lock the auxiliary door by restricting the lever and a driving unit to drive the locking bar.

0049The lever may include a rotating shaft portion; an input portion extending in one direction from the rotating shaft portion and being pressed by the push rod; a restricting portion extending in another direction from the rotating shaft portion having the restricting hole formed therein; and a locking portion extending in still another direction from the rotating shaft portion and locking the auxiliary door by restricting the push rod in a state in which the lever is locked.

0050The push rod may include a pressing portion to press the input portion and an interference portion to be interfered by the locking portion.

0051In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a door of a washing machine which opens and closes the inlet port formed in the cabinet includes a door cover having an auxiliary inlet port; a door holder coupled to the rear of the door cover having a rear opening corresponding to the auxiliary inlet port; a glass member coupled between the door cover and the door holder; a chute having a passage extending rearward from the auxiliary inlet port; an auxiliary door coupled to the door cover to open and close the auxiliary inlet port; and a hinge unit to support the auxiliary door.

0052The hinge unit may include a shock absorber to buffer an impact when opening and closing the auxiliary door.

0053The shock absorber may include a rotating shaft to rotate together with the auxiliary door having a hollow portion; a fixed shaft inserted into the hollow portion and coupled to the main door; and a buffer spring connected to the rotating shaft and the fixed shaft to apply an elastic force to the rotating shaft.

0054The hinge unit may include a fixing unit to fix the auxiliary door when the auxiliary door is opened or closed at a predetermined angle.

0055The fixing unit may include a rotating shaft which rotates together with the auxiliary door and has a hollow portion formed with an engaging hole on a circumferential surface thereof; a fixed shaft inserted into the hollow portion and coupled to the main door; an engaging member inserted into the engaging hole to fix the auxiliary door when the auxiliary door rotates at a predetermined angle; and an engaging spring which applies an elastic force to the engaging member in the direction of the engaging hole.

Advantageous Effect

0056According to the idea of the present disclosure, the user can open and close the auxiliary door at any time during the laundry process, and freely input laundry, detergent, etc.

0057According to the idea of the present disclosure, the washing machine is provided with an auxiliary washing space separated from the main washing space, so that it is possible to separate and wash according to the type of laundry, thereby reducing the degree of damage of the laundry.

0058According to the idea of the present disclosure, the auxiliary door can be locked to prevent the auxiliary door from being opened in an unintended situation.

0059According to the idea of the present disclosure, when the impact generated when the auxiliary door is opened and closed is buffered and the auxiliary door is fixed when the auxiliary door is opened and closed, the ease of use and the quality of sensibility can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

0060<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0061<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b></figref> is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0062<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an auxiliary door of the washing machine is open in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> is a side view illustrating a door of the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0064<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> is a view illustrating a state in which the door of the washing machine is coupled to a cover mounted at a rear of the door in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0065<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a view illustrating a state in which laundry is put into an auxiliary washing space of the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0066<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> is a schematic view illustrating a washing cycle of the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

0067<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>8</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating the outer appearance of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0068<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>9</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is opened.

0069<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>10</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is opened.

0070<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>11</b></figref> is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>12</b></figref> is an exploded view of a door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0072<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>13</b></figref> is a view illustrating the door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0073<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>14</b></figref> is an enlarged view of a dotted line portion in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>13</b></figref>.

0074<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>15</b></figref> is a view illustrating a modification of a latch of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0075<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>16</b></figref> is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a locking device of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0076<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>17</b></figref> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a locking structure of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and is an enlarged view of a dotted line portion in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>11</b></figref>.

0077<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>18</b></figref> is a view illustrating a connection structure between a power source and the locking device of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0078<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>19</b></figref> is a view illustrating a structure in which electric wires of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure pass through a hinge member.

0079<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>20</b> and <b>21</b></figref> are views illustrating a state in which a connector is housed in a rear surface of the hinge member of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0080<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>22</b></figref> is a view illustrating a cabinet of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure and a mounting connector mounted on a main door.

0081<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>23</b></figref> is a view illustrating the mounting connector of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

0082<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>24</b></figref> is a sectional view illustrating a state where the mounting connector of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is connected.

0083<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>25</b></figref> is a front view of a cabinet front plate of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

0084<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>26</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a locking device is mounted on a rear surface of the cabinet front plate of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

0085<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>27</b></figref> is a sectional view illustrating a locking structure of an auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

0086<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>28</b> to <b>31</b></figref> are views for explaining a locking structure of an auxiliary door of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

0087<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>32</b></figref> is an exploded view of the structure of a shock absorber of a hinge unit of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0088<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>33</b></figref> is an exploded view of the structure of a fixing unit of the hinge unit of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

MODE FOR DISCLOSURE

0089Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0090<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b></figref> is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an auxiliary door of the washing machine is open in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> is a side view illustrating a door of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

0091Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b> to <b>4</b></figref>, a washing machine <b>1</b> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet <b>10</b> forming the external appearance of the washing machine <b>1</b>, a tub <b>20</b> accommodating wash water or rinse water that are used for a washing cycle or a rinsing cycle, a drum <b>30</b> accommodating laundry, and a driving motor <b>7</b> rotating the drum <b>30</b>.

0092The cabinet <b>10</b> is provided with a control panel <b>80</b> including input parts <b>81</b><i>a </i>and <b>81</b><i>b </i>to receive an operation command of the washing machine <b>1</b> and a display part <b>83</b> to display operation information of the washing machine <b>1</b>.

0093The input parts <b>81</b><i>a </i>and <b>81</b><i>b </i>may receive user's commands related to operations of the washing machine <b>1</b>, for example, a time of a washing process, a frequency of rinsing operations, a time of a spin dry operation, a time of a dry operation, and a start/pause, and the input parts <b>81</b><i>a </i>and <b>81</b><i>b </i>may be implemented using a press-in type button <b>81</b><i>a </i>or a rotary type button <b>81</b><i>b</i>. In addition, the display part <b>83</b> may display information about operations of the washing machine <b>1</b>, for example, the amount of wash water, a cycle being in operation by the washing machine <b>1</b> and a time remaining until washing is finished, and the display part <b>83</b> may be implemented using a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a light emitting diode (LED) panel.

0094Although the washing machine <b>1</b> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the input parts <b>81</b><i>a </i>and <b>81</b><i>b </i>separately from the display part <b>83</b>, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an input part and a display part may be integrally formed with each other by using a touch screen panel (TSP).

0095In addition, the cabinet <b>10</b> includes frames <b>10</b><i>a</i>, <b>10</b><i>b</i>, <b>10</b><i>c </i>and <b>10</b><i>d</i>, made up of the upper surface frame <b>10</b><i>a </i>forming an upper surface of the cabinet <b>10</b>, the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>b </i>forming a front surface of the cabinet <b>10</b>, the rear surface frame <b>10</b><i>c </i>forming a rear surface of the cabinet <b>10</b>, and a side frame (not shown) forming a side surface and a lower surface of the cabinet <b>10</b> while connecting the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>b </i>to the rear surface frame <b>10</b><i>c. </i>

0096The cabinet <b>10</b> is provided with an inlet port <b>2</b><i>a </i>through which laundry is put into the drum <b>30</b>. The inlet port <b>2</b><i>a </i>is opened and closed by a door <b>70</b> installed on the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>b. </i>

0097A diaphragm <b>90</b> is configured to connect the cabinet <b>10</b> to the tub <b>20</b>. The diaphragm <b>90</b> is disposed between the inlet port <b>2</b><i>a </i>of the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>a </i>and an opening <b>21</b> inside the tub <b>20</b>, to form a path leading from the inlet port <b>2</b><i>a </i>of the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>a </i>to the opening <b>21</b>, and to reduce vibration transmitted to the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>a </i>during rotation of the drum <b>30</b>. In addition, a portion of the diaphragm <b>90</b> is disposed between the door <b>70</b> and the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>a </i>to prevent wash water from leaking to the outside of the cabinet <b>10</b>.

0098The diaphragm <b>90</b> may include an injection molded product formed of thermoplastic elastomer. Since the thermoplastic elastomer has elasticity at room temperature, as with rubber, the diaphragm formed of thermoplastic elastomer may effectively transmit attenuate vibrations from the tub <b>20</b> to the front surface frame <b>10</b><i>a </i>of the cabinet <b>10</b>.

0099A spring <b>17</b> may be provided between the tub <b>20</b> and the cabinet <b>10</b> to support the tub <b>20</b> upward. The spring <b>17</b> serves to mitigate vibration and noise, which may be generated due to movement of the tub <b>20</b>, by using the elastic force thereof.

0100A water supply pipe <b>13</b> is installed above the tub <b>20</b> to supply wash water to the tub <b>20</b>. A water supply valve <b>14</b> is installed at one side of the water supply pipe <b>13</b>.

0101A detergent supply apparatus <b>40</b> is connected to the tub <b>20</b> via a connection pipe <b>16</b>, and water supplied via the water supply pipe <b>13</b> is supplied into the tub <b>20</b> together with detergent via the detergent supply apparatus <b>40</b>.

0102The tub <b>20</b> is supported by a damper <b>41</b>, and the damper <b>41</b> connects an inner bottom of the cabinet <b>10</b> to an outer surface of the tub <b>20</b>. In addition, the damper <b>41</b> may be positioned at an upper side and left/right sides other than the inner bottom of the cabinet <b>10</b> to support the tub <b>20</b>. At an upper side and a lower side of the tub <b>20</b>, the damper <b>41</b> or the spring <b>17</b> may mitigate vibration or impact that may be generated due to vertical movements of the tub <b>20</b>.

0103The tub <b>20</b> may be supported by at least one damper <b>41</b>.

0104A driving shaft <b>11</b> is connected to a rear surface of the drum <b>30</b> to transmit power from the driving motor <b>7</b>. A plurality of through-holes <b>27</b> are formed through a peripheral surface of the drum <b>30</b> to circulate wash water. A plurality of lifters <b>26</b> are installed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum <b>30</b> such that laundry is lifted and dropped during rotation of the drum <b>30</b>.

0105The driving shaft <b>11</b> is disposed between the drum <b>30</b> and the driving motor <b>7</b>. One end of the driving shaft <b>11</b> is connected to a rear plate of the drum <b>30</b>, and the other end of the driving shaft <b>11</b> extends outside a rear wall of the tub <b>20</b>. If the driving motor <b>7</b> drives the driving shaft <b>11</b>, the drum <b>30</b> connected to the driving shaft <b>11</b> rotates about the driving shaft <b>11</b>.

0106A bearing housing <b>8</b> is installed to the rear wall of the tub <b>20</b> so as to rotatably support the driving shaft <b>11</b>. The bearing housing <b>8</b> may be made of aluminum alloy, and may be inserted into the rear wall of the tub <b>20</b> when the tub <b>20</b> is formed by injection molding. Bearings <b>9</b> are disposed between the bearing housing <b>8</b> and the driving shaft <b>11</b> so that the driving shaft <b>11</b> may effectively rotate.

0107A drainage pump <b>4</b> that discharges water in the tub <b>10</b> toward an outer side of the cabinet <b>10</b>, a connection hose <b>3</b> that connects the tub <b>20</b> and the drainage pump <b>4</b> so that water in the tub <b>20</b> may flow into the drainage pump <b>70</b>, and a drainage hose (not shown) that guides water pumped by the drainage pump <b>4</b> to the outer side of the cabinet <b>10</b> are disposed below the tub <b>20</b>.

0108The washing machine <b>1</b> may further include an auxiliary door <b>52</b> configured to be freely opened and closed during a washing process independent of the door <b>70</b>.

0109The auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be provided at the door <b>70</b> and protrude forward.

0110The auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be provided at the door <b>70</b> while adjacent to the upper surface frame <b>10</b><i>a</i>. In detail, the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be installed at a position higher than a top surface of wash water in order to prevent wash water in a main washing space <b>50</b> and an auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> from being overflown when the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is opened and closed during a washing cycle.

0111The auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be rotatably installed at the door <b>70</b>.

0112One side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be hinged to the door <b>70</b>.

0113When a left side or a right side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is hinged to the door <b>70</b>, the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be opened and closed leftward and rightward. When an upper side or a lower side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is hinged to the door <b>70</b>, the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be opened and closed upward and downward. Preferably, an upper side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be hinged to the door <b>70</b> such that the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is opened and closed upward and downward.

0114A locking part (not shown) may be formed at the other side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b>.

0115The locking part of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may be detachably inserted into a fixing hole (not shown) formed through the door <b>70</b>. That is, when the locking part of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is inserted into the fixing hole of the door <b>70</b>, the auxiliary door <b>52</b> remains in a closed state, and when the locking part of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is separated from the fixing hole of the door <b>70</b>, the auxiliary door <b>52</b> remains in an opened state.

0116One side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> hinged to the door <b>70</b> may be a side opposite to the other side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> at which the locking part is formed. That is, when the left side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is hinged to the door <b>70</b>, the locking part may be formed at the right side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b>. When the right side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is hinged to the door <b>70</b>, the locking part may be formed at the left side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b>. When the upper side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is hinged to the door <b>70</b>, the locking part may be formed at the lower side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b>. When the lower side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is hinged to the door <b>70</b>, the locking part may be formed at the upper side of the auxiliary door <b>52</b>.

0117The auxiliary door <b>52</b> remains in a locked state during a washing process, and when the locked state of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is released, the drum <b>30</b> stops rotating.

0118Whether or not the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is in a locked state, that is, whether or not the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is able to be opened and closed may be determined by a sensor (not shown). For example, it is determined whether the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is able to be opened and closed, by use of an optical sensor (not shown). The optical sensor may include a light emitting part (not shown) that emits light in a direction depending on the movement of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> and a light receiving part (not shown) that receives light radiated from the light emitting part and outputs a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of light received. A control part (not shown) determines whether the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is able to be opened and closed, by analyzing the signal output from the light receiving part, and according to a result of the determination, controls the operation of the drum <b>30</b>.

0119The method of determining whether or not the auxiliary door <b>52</b> is able to open and close is not limited thereto, and may be variously implemented.

0120The door <b>70</b> is provided at the inside thereof with an auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> and a connection part <b>53</b>.

0121The auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> is opened and closed by the auxiliary door <b>52</b>. The connection part <b>53</b> connects the auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> to the drum <b>30</b>.

0122The door <b>70</b> includes a front housing <b>71</b> and a rear housing <b>72</b>.

0123The front housing <b>71</b> is provided with the auxiliary door <b>52</b>.

0124The rear housing <b>72</b> is coupled to the front housing <b>71</b> to form the connection part <b>53</b> in the door <b>70</b> and is provided at a rear side thereof with an opening part <b>55</b> communicating with the drum <b>30</b>.

0125The opening part <b>55</b> may be formed at one end portion of the connection part <b>53</b>, which faces the rear side, and the auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> may be formed at the other end portion of the connection part <b>53</b>, which faces the front side.

0126The connection part <b>53</b> may be inclined downward as it extends to the inside of the door <b>70</b>. That is, the connection part <b>53</b> may be inclined downward as it extends further toward the opening part <b>55</b>. Accordingly, the auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> may be formed at a position higher than a position of the opening part <b>55</b>. Through such a configuration, laundry or detergent put through the auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> may be slid in the gravity direction along the connection part <b>53</b>, and thus effectively transferred to the drum <b>30</b>.

0127The rear housing <b>72</b> may protrude toward the rear side of the door <b>70</b>.

0128The degree of the rear housing <b>72</b> being protruded to the rear side of the door <b>70</b> may be decreased upward. Accordingly, laundry put through the auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> is prevented from being damaged by being caught by the diaphragm <b>90</b> connecting the cabinet <b>10</b> to the tub <b>20</b>.

0129A diaphragm (not shown) may be installed on at least one of the auxiliary door <b>52</b> and the auxiliary inlet port <b>54</b> to prevent water leakage.

0130The diaphragm may include an injection molded product formed of thermoplastic elastomer. Since the thermoplastic elastomer has elasticity at room temperature, as with rubber, the diaphragm formed of thermoplastic elastomer may effectively prevent water leakage.

0131At least one of the door <b>70</b> and the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may include a transparent material allowing a user to observe the washing process with the naked eye. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the door <b>70</b> and the auxiliary door <b>52</b> may include reinforced glass.

0132<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> is a view illustrating a state in which the door of the washing machine is coupled to a cover mounted at a rear of the door in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a view illustrating a state in which laundry is put into an auxiliary washing space of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following description, elements identical to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b> to <b>4</b></figref>, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> may include the connection part <b>53</b> described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b> to <b>4</b></figref>.

0133Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>5</b> and <b>6</b></figref>, the washing machine <b>1</b> may include the main washing space <b>50</b> and the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>.

0134A washing process in the main washing space <b>50</b> may be performed independent of a washing process in the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>. That is, the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> may be divided from the main washing space <b>50</b>.

0135The main washing space <b>50</b> may be formed in the drum <b>30</b>.

0136The auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> may be formed in the door <b>70</b>.

0137The door <b>70</b> may include the front housing <b>71</b> and the rear housing <b>72</b>.

0138The front housing <b>71</b> may be provided with the auxiliary door <b>52</b> to open and close the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>.

0139The rear housing <b>72</b> is coupled to the front housing <b>71</b> to form the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> and is provided at a rear side thereof with the opening part <b>55</b> communicating with the drum <b>30</b>.

0140The door <b>70</b> may further include a cover <b>73</b>.

0141In detail, the cover <b>73</b> is detachably coupled to the opening part <b>55</b>.

0142The front housing <b>71</b>, the rear housing <b>72</b> and the cover <b>73</b> are coupled to each other to form the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> that is divided from the main washing space <b>50</b>.

0143The cover <b>73</b> may include a transparent material.

0144A pulsator <b>75</b> may be installed at the cover <b>73</b> to form a flow of wash water stored in the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>. The pulsator <b>75</b> may be rotatable by a flow of wash water generated in the main washing space <b>50</b>. Accordingly, the pulsator <b>75</b> may be rotated in the same direction as that of the drum <b>30</b>.

0145A diaphragm (not shown) may be installed on at least one of the opening part <b>55</b> and the cover <b>73</b> to prevent water leakage.

0146The cover <b>73</b> may be provided with a wash water inlet hole <b>74</b>.

0147The auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> may have wash water to be sprayed therein independent of spraying wash water into the main washing space <b>50</b>. In detail, wash water may be sprayed into the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> through the wash water inlet hole <b>74</b>.

0148Wash water stored in the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> may be drained independent of draining wash water stored in the main washing space <b>50</b>.

0149<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> is a schematic view illustrating a washing cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following description, elements identical to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b> to <b>6</b></figref>.

0150Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>7</b></figref>, an operation of the washing machine <b>1</b> will be described.

0151When laundry or detergent is put into the main washing space <b>50</b> and the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>, an appropriate amount of wash water is supplied to the main washing space <b>50</b> and the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>. As described above, wash water may be supplied to the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> through the wash water inlet hole <b>74</b> independent of supplying wash water to the main washing space <b>50</b>.

0152As for the main washing space <b>50</b>, the drum <b>30</b> is rotated according to an operation of the driving motor <b>7</b>, and the lifter <b>26</b> lifts the laundry to a predetermined height and then drops the laundry, so that the laundry is washed.

0153As for the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b>, the laundry is washed by use of a water current that is generated by the pulsator <b>75</b>. The washing in the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> may be performed in a gentle manner when compared to the washing in the main washing space <b>50</b>, and thus suitable for washing laundry that is easily damaged.

0154After the washing cycle is finished as described above, the wash water in the main washing space <b>50</b> and the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> is drained, and a spin dry operation is intermittently performed. Thereafter, the water supply valve <b>14</b> is opened, so that wash water is supplied to each of the main washing space <b>50</b> and the auxiliary washing space <b>51</b> at the same time when a rinsing cycle is performed.

0155As such, the rinsing cycle and the intermittent spin dry cycle are repeatedly performed, and then a spin dry cycle is performed.

0156<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>8</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating the outer appearance of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>9</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is opened. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>10</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is opened. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>11</b></figref> is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>12</b></figref> is an exploded view of a door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>13</b></figref> is a view illustrating the door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>14</b></figref> is an enlarged view of a dotted line portion in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>13</b></figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>15</b></figref> is a view illustrating a modification of a latch of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0157The washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>8</b> to <b>15</b></figref>. A duplicate description of the same configuration as the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

0158A washing machine <b>101</b> includes a cabinet <b>110</b> for forming an outer appearance, a tub <b>120</b> for receiving wash water to be used for a washing or rinsing cycle, a drum <b>130</b> for receiving laundry, and a driving motor <b>107</b>.

0159The cabinet <b>110</b> may have a substantially box shape. That is, the cabinet <b>110</b> may have a cabinet front plate <b>111</b>, a cabinet rear plate, a cabinet top plate, a cabinet bottom plate, and a cabinet side plate.

0160The cabinet front plate <b>111</b> may be provided with a control panel <b>410</b><i>a </i>having an input unit <b>411</b><i>a </i>for receiving an operation command of the washing machine <b>101</b> from a user and a display unit <b>412</b><i>a </i>for displaying operation information of the washing machine <b>101</b>.

0161An inlet port <b>112</b> is formed in the cabinet front plate <b>111</b> to allow laundry to be put into the drum <b>130</b>. An opening <b>121</b> is formed in the tub <b>120</b> to allow laundry to be introduced into the drum <b>130</b>.

0162A diaphragm <b>135</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>11</b></figref>) may be provided between the inlet port <b>112</b> of the cabinet front plate <b>111</b> and the opening <b>121</b> of the tub <b>120</b>. The diaphragm <b>135</b> forms a passage between the inlet port <b>112</b> of the cabinet front plate <b>111</b> and the opening <b>121</b> of the tub <b>120</b>. The diaphragm <b>135</b> reduces transmission of vibration generated during rotation of the drum <b>130</b> to the cabinet front plate <b>111</b>.

0163A water supply device <b>113</b> for supplying wash water to the tub <b>120</b> may be provided at an upper portion of the tub <b>120</b>. The water supply device <b>113</b> may comprise a water supply pipe <b>115</b> for supplying wash water from an external water supply source and a water supply valve <b>114</b> for opening and closing the water supply pipe <b>115</b>.

0164A detergent supply device <b>105</b> for supplying detergent to the tub <b>120</b> may be provided at a front upper portion of the cabinet <b>110</b>. The detergent supply device <b>105</b> may be connected to the tub <b>120</b> via a connection pipe <b>116</b>. The wash water supplied through the water supply pipe <b>115</b> may be supplied to the inside of the tub <b>120</b> together with the detergent via the detergent supply device <b>105</b>.

0165A driving motor <b>107</b> for generating a rotational force for rotating the drum <b>130</b> may be provided on the rear surface of the tub <b>120</b>. The rotational force generated by the driving motor <b>107</b> can be transmitted to the drum <b>130</b> through the driving shaft <b>106</b>. The driving shaft <b>106</b> passes through the rear wall of the tub <b>120</b> and connects the drum <b>130</b> and the driving motor <b>107</b>.

0166A drainage device <b>102</b> for discharging the wash water in the tub <b>120</b> to the outside of the cabinet <b>110</b> may be provided at a lower portion of the tub <b>120</b>. The drainage device <b>102</b> may include a drain pipe <b>103</b> for guiding the wash water of the tub <b>120</b> to the outside of the cabinet <b>110</b> and a drain pump <b>104</b> for pumping the wash water of the tub <b>120</b>.

0167The drum <b>130</b> performs washing by raising and lowering the laundry while rotating inside the tub <b>120</b>. For this purpose, a plurality of through holes <b>132</b> for circulating the wash water are formed around the drum <b>130</b>. A plurality of lifters <b>131</b> may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum <b>130</b> to raise the laundry when the drum <b>130</b> rotates.

0168The inlet port <b>112</b> may be opened and closed by doors <b>140</b> and <b>180</b> that are rotatably coupled to the cabinet front plate <b>111</b>. The doors <b>140</b> and <b>180</b> include the main door <b>140</b> and the auxiliary door <b>180</b> coupled to the main door <b>140</b> to allow laundry to be added without opening the main door <b>140</b> during a washing cycle of the washing machine <b>101</b>.

0169The main door <b>140</b> and the auxiliary door <b>180</b> can be opened and closed independently of each other. That is, only the main door <b>140</b> may be opened as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>9</b></figref>, or only the auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be opened as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>10</b></figref>.

0170The main door <b>140</b> is rotatable in the left-right direction, and the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is rotatable in the up-and-down direction. That is, the rotation axis of the main door <b>140</b> and the rotation axis of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be orthogonal to each other.

0171Alternatively, the main door <b>140</b> and the auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be rotated in the same direction. That is, the rotation axis of the main door <b>140</b> and the rotation axis of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be parallel to each other. Further, the rotation axis of the main door <b>140</b> and the rotation axis of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be provided on the same line.

0172The auxiliary door <b>180</b> is provided approximately at the upper portion of the main door <b>140</b>. That is, the auxiliary door <b>180</b> should be provided at a position higher than the water level of the wash water stored in the tub <b>120</b> during the washing cycle.

0173Hereinafter, the configurations of the main door <b>140</b> and the auxiliary door <b>180</b> will be described in detail.

0174As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>12</b></figref>, the main door <b>140</b> includes a door cover <b>141</b> having an auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b>, a door holder <b>151</b> provided at the rear of the door cover <b>141</b> having a rear opening <b>152</b> corresponding to the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b>, and a glass member <b>161</b> which is coupled between the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b>.

0175The door cover <b>141</b> forms the front exterior of the main door <b>140</b> and supports the glass member <b>161</b> together with the door holder <b>151</b>. A glass member mounting hole <b>143</b> is provided under the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> of the door cover <b>141</b> so that the glass member <b>161</b> is disposed. The door cover <b>141</b> may have a substantially circular shape having the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> and the glass member mounting hole <b>143</b>.

0176The auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be coupled to the door cover <b>141</b>. The door cover <b>141</b> is provided with a hinge unit holder coupling portion <b>145</b> and the hinge unit holder coupling portion <b>145</b> can be coupled with a hinge unit holder <b>147</b>. The hinge unit holder <b>147</b> can support a hinge unit <b>400</b> that rotatably supports the auxiliary door <b>180</b>. The hinge unit holder <b>147</b> may be formed with an insertion hole <b>148</b> into which the hinge unit <b>400</b> is inserted.

0177A latch passing hole <b>144</b> through which a latch <b>181</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>13</b></figref>) of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> passes is formed at the upper end of the door cover <b>141</b>. The latch <b>181</b> of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> can approach an auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b>, to be described later, through the latch passing hole <b>144</b> of the door cover <b>141</b> in a state where the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is closed.

0178The door holder <b>151</b> forms the rear outer appearance of the main door <b>140</b> and supports the glass member <b>161</b> together with the door cover <b>141</b>. A glass member mounting hole <b>153</b> is provided below the rear opening <b>152</b> of the door holder <b>151</b> so that the glass member <b>161</b> is disposed. The door holder <b>151</b> may have a substantially circular shape having the rear opening <b>152</b> and the glass member mounting hole <b>153</b>.

0179The hinge coupling member <b>157</b> may be coupled to the door holder <b>151</b>. A hinge member <b>170</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>9</b></figref>) for rotatably supporting the main door <b>140</b> may be coupled to the hinge coupling member <b>157</b>.

0180The main door locking device <b>158</b> may be coupled to the door holder <b>151</b>. The main door locking device <b>158</b> can keep the main door <b>140</b> in a closed state. The main door locking device <b>158</b> includes a locking hook <b>159</b> which is provided to be engaged with a locking switch (not shown) provided in the cabinet <b>110</b>.

0181When the user pushes the main door <b>140</b> with a predetermined force in a state where the main door <b>140</b> is closed, the locking hook <b>159</b> is released and the main door <b>140</b> can be opened. This is to prevent an accident such that an infant or the like cannot escape from being trapped inside the cabinet <b>110</b> by oneself.

0182That is, when the main door locking device locks the main door <b>140</b>, the main door <b>140</b> cannot be opened by a normal human force, and the lock is released through the main door locking device to open the main door <b>140</b>.

0183When the main door <b>140</b> is opened during the washing cycle of the washing machine <b>101</b>, there is a danger that the wash water of high temperature is discharged to the outside. The main door locking device can be implemented in various ways.

0184The door holder <b>151</b> is formed with a through hole <b>155</b> through which the hook <b>159</b> of the main door locking device <b>158</b> passes.

0185The door holder <b>151</b> may be equipped with the auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b> for locking the auxiliary door <b>180</b>.

0186The auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b> may be mounted on a front surface <b>154</b> of the door holder <b>151</b>. That is, the auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b> may be disposed between the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b>.

0187The auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b> locks the auxiliary door <b>180</b>. Locking of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is also required for the same reason as that of the main door <b>140</b>. In particular, since the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is small in size and light in weight compared to the main door <b>140</b>, it can be easily opened by the pressure inside the cabinet <b>110</b>. Therefore, auxiliary door locking is essential to prevent the unintentional opening of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> during the washing cycle. The detailed configuration of the auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b> will be described later.

0188The glass member <b>161</b> can be supported by the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b>. The glass member <b>161</b> may be formed of a glass material or other transparent plastic material. The user can view the inside of the cabinet <b>110</b> through the glass member <b>161</b> even when the main door <b>140</b> is closed.

0189The glass member <b>161</b> may have a flange portion <b>163</b> formed on the rim for engagement with the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b>, and a convex portion <b>162</b> protruding rearward.

0190The convex portion <b>162</b> prevents the laundry in the drum <b>130</b> from being biased toward the main door <b>140</b>. The convex portion <b>162</b> prevents the laundry from colliding with the main door <b>140</b> and damaging the laundry. The convex portion <b>162</b> prevents the laundry from pressing the diaphragm <b>135</b>.

0191The main door <b>140</b> may further include a chute <b>165</b> for guiding the laundry introduced into the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> into the drum <b>130</b>.

0192The chute <b>165</b> may have a passage <b>166</b> extending rearward from the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> of the door cover <b>141</b>. The passage <b>166</b> may be provided so as to extend from the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> of the door cover <b>141</b> to the rear opening <b>152</b> of the door holder <b>151</b>. The front end of the chute <b>165</b> is provided on the front surface of the door cover <b>141</b>.

0193The chute <b>165</b> may be provided as a separate component from the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b> and may be coupled to the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b> as in the present embodiment, or unlike the chute <b>165</b> may be formed integrally with the door cover <b>141</b> or the door holder <b>151</b>.

0194A latch passing hole <b>167</b> through which the latch <b>181</b> of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> passes may be formed at the upper end of the chute <b>165</b> so as to correspond to the latch passing hole <b>144</b> of the door cover <b>141</b>. However, unlike the present embodiment, the chute <b>165</b> is provided to deviate from the path of the latch <b>181</b>, and therefore, the chute <b>165</b> may not be provided with the latch passing hole <b>167</b>.

0195Between the auxiliary door <b>180</b> and the chute <b>165</b>, a sealing member <b>168</b> for sealing may be provided.

0196The auxiliary door <b>180</b> is rotatably coupled to the door cover <b>141</b> to open and close the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> of the door cover <b>141</b>.

0197The auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be rotatably supported by hinge units <b>400</b>, <b>410</b>, and <b>450</b>. The auxiliary door <b>180</b> may include a hinge unit cover <b>185</b> for receiving the hinge units <b>400</b>, <b>410</b>, and <b>450</b>. Details of the hinge units <b>400</b>, <b>410</b>, and <b>450</b> will be described later.

0198The auxiliary door <b>180</b> may be formed of a transparent material so that the inside of the auxiliary inlet port <b>142</b> can be seen.

0199As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>13</b> and <b>14</b></figref>, the auxiliary door <b>180</b> has the latch <b>181</b> for locking. The latch <b>181</b> may protrude from the upper end of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> toward the rear of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>.

0200A locking hole <b>182</b> is formed in the latch <b>181</b>. A locking bar <b>195</b> of the auxiliary door locking device <b>190</b> may be inserted into the locking hole <b>182</b>, which will be described later, to lock the auxiliary door <b>180</b>.

0201In this embodiment, the locking hole <b>182</b> has a circular hole shape, but the shape of the locking hole <b>182</b> is not limited to this.

0202In this embodiment, the latch <b>181</b> has a simple rod shape and the locking hole <b>182</b> has a closed opening shape. Alternatively, a latch <b>181</b><i>a </i>(<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>15</b></figref>) has a hook shape and a lock hole <b>182</b><i>a </i>may have an open aperture shape.

0203<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>16</b></figref> is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a locking device of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>17</b></figref> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a locking structure of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and is an enlarged view of a dotted line portion in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>11</b></figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>18</b></figref> is a view illustrating a connection structure between a power source and the locking device of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>19</b></figref> is a view illustrating a structure in which electric wires of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure pass through a hinge member. FIGS. <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> are views illustrating a state in which a connector is housed in a rear surface of the hinge member of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0204Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>16</b> to <b>21</b></figref>, the auxiliary door locking device for the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, simply the locking device may mean the auxiliary door locking device.

0205The locking device <b>190</b> includes a housing <b>191</b>, the locking bar <b>195</b> which can be advanced and retracted to be inserted into the locking hole <b>182</b> of the latch <b>181</b>, a driving unit <b>192</b> provided inside the housing <b>191</b> to drive the locking bar <b>195</b>, and a power terminal <b>196</b> for supplying power to the driving unit <b>192</b>.

0206The driving unit <b>192</b> may include a motor <b>193</b> that generates a rotational force when electric power is applied and a gear assembly <b>194</b> that converts the rotational force generated by the motor <b>193</b> into a linear motion of the locking bar <b>195</b>.

0207The gear assembly <b>194</b> may include a ball screw, a rack pinion, and various mechanical elements capable of converting rotational motion into linear motion.

0208In this embodiment, the driving unit <b>192</b> uses the motor <b>193</b> to drive the locking bar <b>195</b>, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, various types of actuators such as a hydraulic actuator and a bimetallic actuator may be used in addition to the motor <b>193</b>.

0209The power terminal <b>196</b> receives power from the outside of the locking device <b>190</b> and supplies the power to the driving unit <b>192</b>. The power terminal <b>196</b> may be connected to the power source <b>117</b> provided in the cabinet <b>110</b> through the electric wire <b>118</b>. The connection structure of the power terminal <b>196</b> and the power source <b>117</b> will be described later.

0210As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>17</b></figref>, when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is closed, the latch <b>181</b> of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> passes through the latch passing hole <b>144</b> of the door cover <b>141</b> and approaches the locking device <b>190</b> disposed between the door cover <b>141</b> and the door holder <b>151</b>.

0211The locking bar <b>195</b> is moved and inserted into the locking hole <b>182</b> of the latch <b>181</b> when the power is applied to the locking device <b>190</b> so that the auxiliary door <b>180</b> can be locked.

0212As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>18</b></figref>, the cabinet <b>110</b> of the washing machine <b>101</b> may be provided with the power source <b>117</b> for supplying electric power to the locking device <b>190</b>. The power source <b>117</b> may generate power by receiving power from a commercial power source outside the washing machine <b>101</b>. The power source <b>117</b> may include a printed circuit board on which various electronic elements such as a voltage-controlled semiconductor element or a current-controlled semiconductor element are mounted.

0213The locking device <b>190</b> may be connected to the power source <b>117</b> by an electric wire <b>118</b> to receive power from the power source <b>117</b>.

0214The electric wire <b>118</b> includes various wires for transmitting power. The electric wire <b>118</b> may be a conductor made of copper, aluminum, steel, silver, or the like coated with an insulator.

0215The electric wire <b>118</b> may be arranged to pass through the hinge member <b>170</b> to connect the electric power source <b>117</b> provided in the cabinet <b>110</b> and the locking device <b>190</b> provided in the main door <b>140</b>.

0216Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>19</b> to <b>21</b></figref>, the hinge member <b>170</b> includes a cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> coupled to the cabinet <b>110</b>, at least one hinge arm <b>172</b> protruding from the cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b>, and a hinge shaft <b>173</b> protruding from the hinge arm <b>172</b> to support the main door <b>140</b> rotatably.

0217The cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> may be coupled to a hinge coupling portion <b>111</b><i>c </i>(see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>25</b></figref>) formed on the cabinet front plate <b>111</b>. The cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> can be firmly coupled to the cabinet front plate <b>111</b> through a fastening member such as a screw. The back surface <b>176</b> of the cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> can be in close contact with the cabinet front plate <b>111</b>.

0218The hinge arm <b>172</b> may protrude from the cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> toward the main door <b>140</b> side. The hinge arm <b>172</b> can be bent in the direction toward the outside from the center of the cabinet <b>110</b>.

0219The hinge shaft <b>173</b> may protrude from the end of the hinge arm <b>172</b> in the vertical direction. The hinge shaft <b>173</b> is inserted into the shaft insertion hole <b>157</b><i>a </i>(<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>12</b></figref>) of the main door <b>140</b>, and supports the main door <b>140</b> rotatably.

0220The hinge member <b>170</b> may include a wire passage <b>174</b> through which the electric wire <b>118</b> passes. The wire passage <b>174</b> may be provided inside the hinge member <b>170</b> so that the electric wire <b>118</b> is not exposed to the outside.

0221The wire passage <b>174</b> includes a first wire passage <b>174</b><i>a </i>formed to penetrate the inside of the cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b>, a second wire passage <b>174</b><i>b </i>formed to open at one side of the hinge arm <b>172</b>, and a third wire passage <b>174</b><i>c </i>formed to penetrate the inside of the shaft <b>173</b>.

0222The first wire passage <b>174</b><i>a</i>, the second wire passage <b>174</b><i>b</i>, and the third wire passage <b>174</b><i>c </i>may be connected to each other.

0223A wire cover <b>175</b> for sealing the second wire passage <b>174</b><i>b </i>may be coupled to one open surface of the second wire passage <b>174</b><i>b </i>provided on the hinge arm <b>172</b>.

0224However, it is needless to say that, unlike the present embodiment, the second wire passage <b>174</b><i>b </i>can be formed to penetrate the inside of the hinge arm <b>172</b> without the open surface.

0225The electric wire <b>118</b> has a first electric wire <b>118</b><i>a </i>having one end connected to the power source <b>117</b> and the other end having a first connector <b>119</b><i>a</i>, and a second electric wire <b>118</b><i>b </i>having one end of which is connected to the locking device <b>190</b> and the other end of which is connected to a second connector <b>119</b><i>b</i>. The first electric wire <b>118</b><i>a </i>and the second electric wire <b>118</b><i>b </i>may be interconnected by connecting the first connector <b>119</b><i>a </i>and the second connector <b>119</b><i>b. </i>

0226A connector receiving groove <b>177</b> in which the connector <b>119</b> is hermetically sealed may be formed on the back surface <b>176</b> of the cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> of the hinge member. The connector receiving groove <b>177</b> may be formed with a fixed rib <b>178</b> protruding to fix the connector <b>119</b>.

0227The cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> of the hinge member may be provided with a moisture permeation prevention rib <b>179</b> for preventing water from penetrating into the connector <b>119</b>. The moisture permeation prevention ribs <b>179</b> can be provided on the upper portion of the connector receiving groove <b>177</b> to prevent the moisture falling down along the back surface <b>176</b> of the cabinet coupling portion <b>171</b> of the hinge member from penetrating into the connector <b>119</b>.

0228<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>22</b></figref> is a view illustrating a cabinet of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure and a mounting connector mounted on a main door. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>23</b></figref> is a view illustrating a mounting connector of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>24</b></figref> is a sectional view illustrating a state where the mounting connector of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is connected.

0229Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>22</b> to <b>24</b></figref>, a structure of the mounting connector of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A duplicate description of the same configuration as the above-described embodiments will be omitted.

0230The washing machine may include a mounting connector <b>200</b> to supply power from a power source <b>117</b> provided in a cabinet <b>110</b> to a locking device <b>190</b> provided in a main door <b>140</b>.

0231The mounting connector <b>200</b> may include a plug <b>230</b> mounted on one of the cabinet <b>110</b> and the main door <b>140</b> and a socket <b>240</b> mounted on the other of the cabinet <b>110</b> and the main door <b>140</b> and into which the plug <b>230</b> is inserted.

0232In this embodiment, the plug <b>230</b> is mounted on the main door <b>140</b> and the socket <b>240</b> is mounted on the cabinet <b>110</b>. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be mounted in the opposite manner.

0233The plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b> may be interconnected or separated according to opening and closing of the main door <b>140</b>. That is, when the main door <b>140</b> is opened, the plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b> are separated. When the main door <b>140</b> is closed, the plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b> can be connected.

0234The plug <b>230</b> may be connected to the locking device <b>190</b> by an electric wire <b>204</b> and the socket <b>240</b> may be connected to the power source <b>117</b> by the electric wire <b>204</b>. As a result, when the main door <b>140</b> is closed and the plug <b>230</b> is connected to the socket <b>240</b>, the power source <b>117</b> and the locking device <b>190</b> are connected to supply power to the locking device <b>190</b>.

0235The plug <b>230</b> is provided with an insertion protrusion <b>231</b> and the socket <b>240</b> is provided with an insertion groove <b>241</b> so that the plug <b>230</b> can be inserted into the socket <b>240</b>.

0236The plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b> each have wire receiving portions <b>232</b> and <b>242</b> for receiving the electric wires <b>204</b> and partition walls <b>233</b> and <b>243</b> located on both sides of the electric wire <b>204</b> to form the wire receiving portions <b>232</b> and <b>242</b>.

0237A protrusion pin <b>244</b> protruding to form the insertion groove <b>241</b> is formed in the partition wall <b>243</b> of the socket <b>240</b> and a groove <b>234</b> in which the protrusion pin <b>244</b> is inserted is provided in the plug <b>230</b>.

0238The mounting connector <b>200</b> may have a sealing member <b>260</b> for preventing moisture from penetrating into the mounting connector <b>200</b>. The sealing member <b>260</b> includes a first sealing member <b>261</b> provided to enclose the electric wire <b>204</b> within the wire receiving portions <b>232</b> and <b>242</b>, and a second sealing member <b>262</b> sealing between the plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b>. The second sealing member <b>262</b> may be provided to surround the plug <b>230</b> on the outer side of the plug <b>230</b>.

0239The mounting connector <b>200</b> may have guide portions <b>235</b> and <b>245</b> to guide the coupling. The guide portions <b>235</b> and <b>245</b> may include guide protrusions <b>235</b> and guide grooves <b>245</b> for receiving the guide protrusions <b>235</b>. At an end of the guide protrusion <b>235</b>, an inclined portion <b>236</b> having a reduced diameter is formed so that the guide protrusion <b>235</b> can be smoothly inserted into the guide groove <b>245</b>.

0240The mounting connector <b>200</b> includes connection terminals <b>205</b> that are in contact with each other. Part of the connection terminals <b>205</b> may be power connection terminals for supplying electric power to the locking device <b>190</b> and part of them may be data connection terminals for detecting opening and closing of the main door <b>140</b>.

0241That is, a washing machine <b>101</b> has a door open/close detection circuit unit for exchanging signals to detect open/close of the main door <b>140</b>, and a control unit for receiving a signal from the door open/close detection circuit unit and determining whether the main door is open or closed. The connection terminal for transfer may form a part of the door open/close detection circuit unit.

0242When the plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b> are connected, not only the connection terminals for power transmission but also the connection terminals for data transmission are connected. When the plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b> are separated, not only the connection terminal for power transmission but also the connection terminal for data transmission can be disconnected.

0243Accordingly, the door open/close detection circuit unit outputs different signals depending on the connection and disconnection state of the plug <b>230</b> and the socket <b>240</b>, and accordingly, the control unit can determine whether the main door <b>140</b> is open or closed.

0244As a result, the mounting connector <b>200</b> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may also serve to detect whether the main door <b>140</b> is open or closed, in addition to supplying power to the locking device <b>190</b>.

0245<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>25</b></figref> is a front view of a cabinet front plate of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>26</b></figref> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a locking device is mounted on a rear surface of the cabinet front plate of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>27</b></figref> is a sectional view illustrating a locking structure of an auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

0246Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>25</b> to <b>27</b></figref>, an auxiliary door locking structure of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A duplicate description of the same configuration as the above-described embodiments will be omitted.

0247The locking device <b>190</b> for locking the auxiliary door <b>180</b> in the second and third embodiments is provided in the main door <b>140</b> so that a mechanism is required in which electric power is transmitted from the power source <b>117</b> provided in the cabinet <b>110</b> to the locking device <b>190</b> provided in the main door <b>140</b>.

0248Alternatively, a locking device <b>190</b> according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in a cabinet <b>110</b>, not a main door <b>140</b>.

0249Specifically, the locking device <b>190</b> can be mounted on the rear surface of a cabinet front plate <b>111</b>. Therefore, a latch <b>181</b> of an auxiliary door <b>180</b> must penetrate through the main door <b>140</b> and the cabinet front plate <b>111</b> in order to access the locking device <b>190</b>.

0250Therefore, a chute <b>165</b> of the main door <b>140</b>, a door cover <b>141</b> of the main door <b>140</b>, a door holder <b>151</b> of the main door <b>140</b>, and the cabinet front plate <b>111</b> are respectively provided with latch passing holes <b>167</b>, <b>144</b>, <b>151</b><i>a</i>, and <b>111</b><i>a</i>. However, the chute <b>165</b> may be provided to deviate from the movement path of the latch <b>181</b>, so that the chute <b>165</b> may not be provided with the latch passing hole <b>167</b>.

0251The unillustrated reference numeral <b>111</b><i>b </i>in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>25</b></figref> is a through hole through which a hook <b>159</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>12</b></figref>) of a main door locking device <b>158</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>12</b></figref>) passes.

0252<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>28</b> to <b>31</b></figref> are views for explaining a locking structure of an auxiliary door of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure and views sequentially showing a process in which the auxiliary door is locked.

0253The locking structure of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>28</b> to <b>31</b></figref>. A duplicate description of the same configuration as the above embodiment will be omitted.

0254In the washing machine of the fifth embodiment, a locking device <b>190</b> is provided on the back surface of a cabinet front plate <b>111</b>, like the washing machine of the fourth embodiment. The difference from the fourth embodiment is that a latch <b>181</b> of an auxiliary door <b>180</b> does not directly approach the locking device <b>190</b> but presses a lever <b>310</b> provided on a main door <b>140</b>, and the lever <b>310</b> approaches the locking device <b>190</b>.

0255The auxiliary door <b>180</b> includes a push rod <b>300</b> and the main door <b>140</b> is provided with the lever <b>310</b> which is pressed and rotated by a push rod <b>300</b>.

0256The lever <b>310</b> includes a rotating shaft portion <b>311</b>, an input portion <b>312</b> extending in one direction in the rotating shaft portion <b>311</b> and pressed by the push rod <b>300</b>, a restricting portion <b>313</b> formed with a restricting hole <b>314</b>, and a locking portion <b>315</b> extending in another direction in the rotating shaft portion <b>311</b> and locking the auxiliary door <b>180</b> by restricting the push rod <b>300</b>.

0257A locking bar <b>195</b> of the locking device <b>190</b> is inserted into the restricting hole <b>314</b> of the restricting portion <b>313</b> so that the lever <b>310</b> can be restrained.

0258The push rod <b>300</b> includes a stem portion <b>301</b> protruding rearward of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>, a pressing portion <b>302</b> that presses the input portion <b>312</b> of the lever <b>310</b> and rotates the lever <b>310</b> in the process of closing the auxiliary door <b>180</b>, and an interference portion <b>303</b> which interferes with the locking portion <b>315</b> of the lever <b>310</b>.

0259As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>28</b> to <b>30</b></figref>, when the push rod <b>300</b> presses the lever <b>310</b> to rotate the lever <b>310</b> in the process of closing the auxiliary door <b>180</b>, the locking hole <b>314</b> of the lever <b>310</b> moves to a position corresponding to the locking bar <b>195</b> of the locking device <b>190</b>.

0260Next, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>31</b></figref>, when the locking device <b>190</b> is actuated and the locking bar <b>195</b> moves into the restricting hole <b>314</b>, the lever <b>310</b> is restrained from rotating.

0261The auxiliary door <b>180</b> is also locked because the interference portion <b>303</b> of the push rod <b>300</b> is interfered by the locking portion <b>315</b> in a state where the lever <b>310</b> is prevented from rotating.

0262In order to release the locking of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>, the locking device <b>190</b> is operated to release the locking bar <b>195</b> from the restricting hole <b>314</b>. When the locking of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is released and the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened, the lever <b>310</b> can return to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member <b>320</b>.

0263<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>32</b></figref> is an exploded view of the structure of a shock absorber of a hinge unit of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>33</b></figref> is an exploded view of the structure of a fixing unit of the hinge unit of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

0264Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>32</b> to <b>33</b></figref>, the hinge unit of the auxiliary door of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. It goes without saying that the following hinge unit can be applied to the auxiliary door of the washing machine of another embodiment.

0265The hinge unit <b>400</b> supports the auxiliary door <b>180</b> to rotate. The hinge unit <b>400</b> may include a shock absorber <b>410</b> that buffers an impact generated when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened and closed.

0266The shock absorber <b>410</b> includes a rotating shaft <b>430</b> rotated together with the auxiliary door <b>180</b> having a hollow portion <b>431</b>, a fixed shaft <b>420</b> inserted into the hollow portion <b>431</b> and coupled to the main door <b>140</b>, and a buffer spring <b>440</b> connected to the rotating shaft <b>430</b> and the fixed shaft <b>420</b> to apply an elastic force to the rotating shaft <b>430</b>.

0267The rotating shaft <b>430</b> may have a cylindrical shape having the hollow portion <b>431</b>. The rotating shaft <b>430</b> may have an auxiliary door coupling portion <b>432</b> for coupling with the auxiliary door <b>180</b> and a spring support portion <b>433</b> to which one end <b>441</b> of the buffer spring <b>440</b> is coupled.

0268The rotating shaft <b>430</b> may have a stopper groove <b>434</b> and stopper surfaces <b>435</b> and <b>436</b> for limiting the rotation range of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>.

0269The fixed shaft <b>420</b> has a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the rotating shaft <b>430</b> and can be inserted into the rotating shaft <b>430</b>. The fixed shaft <b>420</b> may have a main door coupling portion <b>421</b> for coupling with the main door <b>140</b> and a spring support portion <b>422</b> to which another end <b>442</b> of the buffer spring <b>440</b> is coupled.

0270Further, the fixed shaft <b>420</b> may have a stopper protrusion <b>423</b> for limiting the rotation range of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>. The stopper protrusion <b>423</b> can move inside the stopper groove <b>434</b> when the rotating shaft <b>430</b> rotates. The stopper protrusion <b>423</b> may interfere with the stopper surfaces <b>435</b> and <b>436</b> to prevent the auxiliary door <b>180</b> from further rotating when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened or closed at the maximum angle.

0271Although a coil spring is used as the buffer spring <b>440</b> in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single elastic member such as a torsion spring or a leaf spring capable of exerting an elastic force can be used.

0272The buffer spring <b>440</b> can be disposed such that the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is in an initial state where the elastic force is zero when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is at a substantially middle angle between the maximum opening angle and the maximum closing angle. In this case, the buffer spring <b>440</b> may exert an elastic force so that the auxiliary door <b>180</b> rotates in the direction of the intermediate angle when the angle of the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is increased or decreased at an intermediate angle. That is, the buffer spring <b>440</b> can perform the damping function both when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened and closed.

0273Alternatively, the buffer spring <b>440</b> may be arranged to be in the initial state when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is at the maximum opening angle, or may be placed in the initial state when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is at the maximum closing angle.

0274When the buffer spring <b>440</b> is arranged to be in the initial state when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is at the maximum opening angle, the buffer spring <b>440</b> always exerts the elastic force in the direction of opening the auxiliary door <b>180</b>. The damping function is performed when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is closed, and the auto opening function is performed when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened. That is, the buffer spring <b>440</b> performs a damping function when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is closed, and conversely, performs the auto-opening function when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened.

0275When the buffer spring <b>440</b> is placed in the initial state when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is at the maximum closing angle, the buffer spring <b>440</b> always exerts an elastic force in the direction of closing the auxiliary door <b>180</b>. That is, the damping function is performed when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened and the auto closing function is performed when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is closed.

0276The hinge unit <b>400</b> may include a fixing unit <b>450</b> for fixing the auxiliary door <b>180</b> when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened and closed at a maximum angle.

0277The fixing unit <b>450</b> includes a rotating shaft <b>460</b> rotatable together with the auxiliary door <b>180</b> having a hollow portion <b>461</b> formed with engaging holes <b>466</b> and <b>467</b> on a circumferential surface thereof, a fixed shaft <b>470</b> inserted into the hollow portion <b>461</b> and coupled to the main door <b>140</b>, an engaging member <b>480</b> inserted into the engaging holes <b>466</b> and <b>467</b> to fix the auxiliary door <b>180</b> when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened or closed at a predetermined angle, and an engaging spring <b>490</b> that applies an elastic force to the engaging member <b>480</b> in the direction of the engaging holes <b>466</b> and <b>467</b>.

0278The rotating shaft <b>460</b> may have a cylindrical shape having the hollow portion <b>461</b>. The rotating shaft <b>460</b> has an auxiliary door coupling portion <b>462</b> for engaging with the auxiliary door <b>180</b>, a stopper groove <b>463</b> for limiting the rotation range of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>, and stopper surfaces <b>464</b> and <b>465</b>.

0279The fixed shaft <b>470</b> has a cylindrical shape smaller in diameter than the rotating shaft <b>460</b> and can be inserted into the rotating shaft <b>460</b>. The fixed shaft <b>470</b> may have a main door coupling portion <b>471</b> for engagement with the main door <b>140</b> and a stopper protrusion <b>473</b> for limiting the rotation range of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>. The stopper protrusion <b>473</b> can move inside the stopper groove <b>463</b> when the rotating shaft <b>460</b> rotates. The stopper protrusion <b>473</b> may interfere with the stopper surfaces <b>464</b> and <b>465</b> when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened or closed at the maximum angle so that the auxiliary door <b>180</b> can no longer be rotated.

0280The engaging member <b>480</b> may have a spherical shape so that the engaging member <b>480</b> can be easily detached from the engaging holes <b>466</b> and <b>467</b> when the user pulls or pushes the auxiliary door <b>180</b> even after being inserted into the engaging holes <b>466</b> and <b>467</b>.

0281A click sound is generated when the engaging member <b>480</b> is inserted into the engaging holes <b>466</b> and <b>467</b> so that the user can easily recognize the opening and closing of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>.

0282With such a configuration, it is possible to mitigate the impact when the auxiliary door <b>180</b> is opened and closed, and to improve the usability and the sensibility of the auxiliary door <b>180</b>.

0283Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.